back down

back down

To retreat from a particular idea or course of action, often in a conflict. I refuse to back down—this law must be passed, in the interest of public safety.The bully backed down after all of my friends came with me to confront him.

back down (something)

back down

(from someone or something) to yield to a person or a thing; to fail to carry through on a threat. Jane backed down from her position on the budget.It's probably better to back down from this situation; looks like you are at a disadvantage.

back down

back down

1. Reverse one's upward course, descend. For example, When she saw the wasps' nest on the roof, she hastily backed down the ladder. This literal usage usually refers to something one has climbed, such as a ladder or mountain. [Mid-1800s]

2. Also, back off. Retreat or yield. For example, As the watchdog began to snarl the letter carrier backed off, or You have a good point; now don't back down when you present it to the board. [First half of 1900s] Also see back away, def. 2.

back down

1. To move backward through some region, especially in a vehicle: We backed down the driveway.

2. To cause something, especially a vehicle, to move backward through some region or space: I slowly backed the truck down the hill.

3. To withdraw from a position or confrontation, especially due to intimidation: The smaller bear kept growling so loudly that the larger bear backed down and walked away. Even though they appeared to have a very strong argument against me, I wouldn't back down, and I eventually showed them their conclusions were wrong.

Throw enough mud and some of it sticks, well throw enough proposed changes of service, dilute the opposition, and you can temporarily back down on a high profile change, and sneak the others through the back door.

One year after massive demonstrations forced Beijing to back down on imposing harsh "anti-subversion" legislation, Hong Kong demonstrators again took to the streets on July 1 to protest Beijing's heavy-handed rule.

Nonetheless, in a rare show of defiance, the Nagoya District Court refused to back down in the face of the ministry's intransigence, and in October 2001 again told the government that MK's free taxi plan was legal.

In light of such obstacles, Scheffer can be seen as a victim of daunting circumstances and the ambivalence of an administration that has made brave proclamations on human rights issues (think Rwanda, East Timor, or Sierra Leone), only to back down at the first sign of opposition.

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